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Contributor post written by Renee from Raising Generation Nourished
There is nothing I look forward to with spring in full swing than fresh salad greens from the garden.
Okay, maybe a grassy view out of my window instead of a blizzard, and swapping my fuzzy socks for flip flops is something I look forward to just slightly more than a fresh salad…
But today, we’ll talk salad!
And making your own dressings for your salads is a fantastic first step toward making the real food swap in your home. Not only is making your own dressings really (really!) easy and quick, but you will also be getting rid of toxic, rancid oils, high fructose corn syrup, and other additives from those store-bought bottles.
Did I mention the cost effectiveness? Oh yes, there’s that too!
10 Salad Dressings to Stop Buying and Start Making
1. Ranch: The classic, kid-friendly salad dressing and dip. This Ranch tastes just like that bottle from the commercials, where all the happy little children are munching away at their broccoli like an ice cream cone! Total Time: 5 minutes
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup plain kefir or filmjolk, similar to kefir (Siggi’s brand), or whole milk
- 1/2 lemon juiced, or 1 lemon juiced (based on taste preference)
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
2. Classic Vinaigrette: This classic vinaigrette only requires a handful of ingredients which you probably already own. A vinaigrette is the perfect homemade dressing for a lighter spring salad. Total Time: 5 minutes
- 3 TB vinegar such as: red wine, apple cider, white wine, balsamic, OR lemon juice
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil for a neutral tasting oil
- 1/2 tsp salt to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper to taste
3. Thousand Island: Perfect for salads and classic Reuben sandwiches; homemade Thousand Island dressing has a slightly sweet and creamy texture kids love. Total Time: 5 minutes
- 1 cup whole sour cream
- ¼ cup organic ketchup
- Juice of 1 lemon about 2-3 TB
- 1- 1 ½ TB raw honey
- ¼ cup finely chopped pickles
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ⅛ black pepper
4. French: This is another very kid-friendly dressing, and also makes a really great dressing for taco salads (like Catalina dressing). Total Time: 5 minutes
- ¾ cup organic olive oil
- ¼ cup organic white wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup organic ketchup
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2-3 TB raw honey
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 – 1 tsp black pepper
5. Caesar: This dressing is fish-free but tastes just like your favorite Caesar from the restaurant without all the fuss! Total Time: 5 Minutes
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 TB lemon juice about 1/2 a large lemon, juiced
- 1 TB dijon mustard
- 1 medium garlic clove minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
6. DIY Olive Garden Dressing: Boy did Olive Garden really nail it when they created their house salad, didn’t they?! It was such a hit they put it on store shelves so you could have it at home! This tastes exactly like the Olive Garden Salad Dressing you love, but it’s made with safer more nourishing ingredients! Total Time: 5 Minutes
7. Fiesta Dressing: All of your favorite Mexican flavors in a jar- this dressing not only makes a great salad, but also tastes great with a sandwich/wrap spread, or drizzled over a taco salad. Total Time: 5 Minutes
- 1 cup of your favorite salsa we get Mateo’s at Costco
- ½ avocado
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ⅓ cup whole sour cream
- 2 tsp taco seasoning
8. Herbed Honey Mustard: This light honey mustard dressing features a flavor-packed star: fresh herbs. Herbed Honey Mustard is perfect for salads and marinating chicken. Total Time: 5 Minutes
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herb leaves such as: parsley, basil, dill, thyme or combination of herbs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herb leaves such as: parsley, basil, dill, thyme (or combination of herbs)
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 TB honey
- 1 TB dijon mustard
- 1 tsp shallots chopped
9. Creamy Herb Dressing: With inspiration from Marie Callender, this homemade dressing combines fresh herbs with tangy sour cream for a creamy salad dressing or vegetable dip. Total Time: 5 Minutes
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herb leaves such as: basil, parsley, dill, marjoram, or oregano
- 1 TB white wine vinegar
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- 1/2 green onion mainly the white part and some green, about 2-3 tablespoons
10. Lemon Tahini Dressing: A variation of a vinaigrette dressing, this is my go-to dressing with minimal effort required. Total Time: 5 Minutes
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 TB tahini
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1/4-1/2 tsp salt to taste
- pinch pepper to taste
Fabulous. Just fabulous!
Thank you, Linda!
I love to make my own salad dressings, so much healthyer, thanks.
Awesome, Valerie! Homemade dressings are so delicious!